British Values
It recognises the multicultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom, and therefore those it serves. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation. The school accepts admissions from all those entitled to an education under British law, including pupils of all faiths or none. It follows the policies outlined by its governing body regarding equality, which guarantee that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. It seeks to serve all.
The Government requires all schools to actively promote fundamental British values, in order to improve safeguarding; strengthen the barriers to extremism; ensure children become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and tolerance, regardless of background and to ensure young people leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain. This aligns with all schools’ obligations under section 78 of the Education Act (2002), as part of a broad and balanced curriculum, to promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, social (SMSC), mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society.
Democracy
Democracy is an important value in our school .Pupils work together to have their voices heard through our School Council. The elections to School Council are based on pupil votes. Children receive rewards when they are modelling values of respect, responsibility and caring for others. The children have worked together in their classes and agreed their class rules which they actively work and live by and which govern behaviour in the classrooms and around the schoolAn understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process including the election of the school council. The school council meets regularly to think of ideas to improve our school.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced regularly throughout the school day, as well as when dealing with incidents and through school assemblies. Pupils are taught the values and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibility that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the police and fire service are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.
Respect and Tolerance
our Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy are based around values such as ‘respect’ and ‘responsibility’ and these values determine how we live as a community at Highgate. Children and adults alike, including visitors, are challenged if they are disrespectful in any way. This is achieved through enhancing pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity in our local community which include many different nationalities and cultures. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been supported by learning in RE and PSHE.
We create a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children. We welcome and encourage the sharing of different beliefs and cultures from within our varied community. Our use of Nurture, and our bespoke PSHE curriculum reinforces this. Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and care for one another.
Individual Liberty
Pupils are actively encouraged to make choices at our school, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we provide boundaries for our children to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and planned curriculum. Through child led learning, open questioning and open ended activities pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely.
Our School Council, PSHE teaching and behaviour systems and also enable all children to have a voice.
As educators we recognise we have a duty to prepare our children for life in modern Britain and to keep them safe. Our values are taught explicitly through Nurture Practices, Personal, Social, Health and Emotional (PSHE), and Religious Education (RE). The British Values are encompassed in the ethos of the school so will come into all aspects of teaching and learning.
The school takes opportunities to actively promote British Values through our assemblies and whole school systems and structures such as electing and running a successful School Council . We also actively promote the British values through ensuring that our curriculum planning and delivery includes real opportunities for children to explore and form their own opinions. Actively promoting British Values also means challenging pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.
If you have any questions regarding the curriculum please contact Mrs Kirby at the school.
